As known from:
nytimes logousatoday logotheguardian logo
VA
Contains commercial content
Home > Thomas Rongen Is So Good, He Made American Samoa Less Crappy

Thomas Rongen Is So Good, He Made American Samoa Less Crappy

Carl M
Carl M
Publish Date: February 28, 2023
Fact checked by: Chris A

Thomas Rongen Is So Good, He Made American Samoa Less Crappy

Let’s Hear It For the Minnows

Thomas Rongen Is So Good, He Made American Samoa Less Crappy

Keith Hickey, November 23, 2011

Tweet

American Samoa is very very bad at soccer. To wit, between the time they began FIFA-sanctioned international play in 1994 and Tuesday morning, they won a grand total of zero matches, and were outscored 229-12. In 2001, they were on the unfortunate end of the most lopsided scoreline in the history of competitive international football, as Australia knocked 31 past them in a World Cup Qualifier. They are ranked #203 in the world by FIFA. There are only 203 members of FIFA. And then, Thomas Rongen arrived.

Thomas Rongen was born in Amsterdam and was a part of the Ajax youth and reserve setups before embarking on a long and successful soccer career in the United States. He played in the heyday of the NASL, and became a coach for various colleges upon his retirement. When MLS started up, he was named coach of the Tampa Bay Mutiny. He lead the Mutiny to the Supporters’ Shield in the inaugural season, and was named Coach of the Year. He later led D.C. United to their third MLS Cup in 1999.

Rongen was USA U-20s coach for the better part of a decade, and helped devise the international scouting network that has seen our national teams flooded with Afro-Germericans.

He also had unsuccessful stints with New England and Chivas USA, but since they’re New England and Chivas USA, we won’t count those. What we’re trying to say is that Thomas Rongen is a very accomplished coach. And last night, he accomplished what may be he greatest achievement: he led the worst national team in the world to their first-ever FIFA-sanctioned win.

Leading American Samoa out against comparative powerhouse Tonga (201st in the world, had won all seven previous meetings between the two teams), Rongen, who was hired just last month, masterminded a 2-1 victory, goals courtesy of Ramin Ott and Shalom Luani. Ott’s goal was the second of his international career, making him American Samoa’s all-time leading scorer.

We now fully expect American Samoa to easily qualify for, and probably even win, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Or maybe win another game. That’d probably be a good start.

Full Story: Washington Post

 

American Samoa is very very bad at soccer. To wit, between the time they began FIFA-sanctioned international play in 1994 and Tuesday morning, they won a grand total of zero matches, and were outscored 229-12. In 2001, they were on the unfortunate end of the most lopsided scoreline in the history of competitive international football, as Australia knocked 31 past them in a World Cup Qualifier. They are ranked #203 in the world by FIFA. There are only 203 members of FIFA. And then, Thomas Rongen arrived.

Thomas Rongen was born in Amsterdam and was a part of the Ajax youth and reserve setups before embarking on a long and successful soccer career in the United States. He played in the heyday of the NASL, and became a coach for various colleges upon his retirement. When MLS started up, he was named coach of the Tampa Bay Mutiny. He lead the Mutiny to the Supporters’ Shield in the inaugural season, and was named Coach of the Year. He later led D.C. United to their third MLS Cup in 1999.

Rongen was USA U-20s coach for the better part of a decade, and helped devise the international scouting network that has seen our national teams flooded with Afro-Germericans.

He also had unsuccessful stints with New England and Chivas USA, but since they’re New England and Chivas USA, we won’t count those. What we’re trying to say is that Thomas Rongen is a very accomplished coach. And last night, he accomplished what may be he greatest achievement: he led the worst national team in the world to their first-ever FIFA-sanctioned win.

Leading American Samoa out against comparative powerhouse Tonga (201st in the world, had won all seven previous meetings between the two teams), Rongen, who was hired just last month, masterminded a 2-1 victory, goals courtesy of Ramin Ott and Shalom Luani. Ott’s goal was the second of his international career, making him American Samoa’s all-time leading scorer.

We now fully expect American Samoa to easily qualify for, and probably even win, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Or maybe win another game. That’d probably be a good start.

Full Story: Washington Post

 

Read Also
Tom Brady’s New Girlfriend Irina Shayk – The NFL Star’s Words About Irina
Tom Brady appears to be taking his new relationship with Irina Shayk ...
Predictions for the Women’s World Cup 2023
The women's World Cup in 2019 was won by the United States ...
BetMGM Promo
“DreamTown” Shines Light on Afro-Ecuadorian Struggle to Escape Poverty Through Soccer
Soccer Films “DreamTown” Shines Light on Afro-Ecuadorian Struggle to Escape Poverty Through ...
5 Insane Things Equal to Qatar’s $220 Billion World Cup 2022 Price Tag
Last year’s World Cup in South Africa, for all of the questions ...
This Is UK Boy Band One Direction Playing Soccer In New England Revolution Jerseys
Soccer and Celebrities This Is UK Boy Band One Direction Playing Soccer ...
Latest News
Ryan Garcia vs. Tank Davis – Fight Recap
In an epic clash between two undefeated superstars ...
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Brothers: The NBA All-Star Brotherhood Unveiled
Having emigrated from Greece to the United States, ...
Patrick Mahomes’ Parents, Meet Randi Martin & Pat Mahomes Sr.
Patrick Mahomes soared to stardom after being crowned ...
Aaron Rodger’s hair timeline from 2005 to 2023
Aaron Rodgers, the esteemed quarterback, has showcased a ...
Top 15 Most Asked Questions About Michael Jordan
Google is the go-to method for easily finding ...
Our Team
Jimmy FCarl MKristoffer BZane HarrisChris A
Jimmy F
Jimmy F
Editor
Carl M
Carl M
Editor in Chief
Kristoffer B
Kristoffer B
Editor
Zane Harris
Zane Harris
Sports Editor
Chris A
Chris A
Developer/Data Analyst

Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

21+NCPG
Move to Top
×
Your Bonus Code:
The bonus offer was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site